Best AR and scope for Varmint hunting ?

fantdl

fantdl

Member
I would like everyone's thoughts on the best ar rig, Barrell. Scope, sight. Brand Etc. I have always been a bolt or over and under guy (Shotgun rifle combo) which I needed today BTW first stand I had a yote 30 feet away and shotgun worked great but a second dog held up at 50 yards before I could swith he was gone. Any way back to the question I have bought 2 different AR'S and neither would group better than 2" at 100 so I sold. I would really like one though for the follow up shots and the light weight and compactness of them. I missed a Dog yesterday morn like a school gtrl but if I had a second shot I might have got him. any way let me know what yall think
 
There is no magic answer. It's all personal preference. Any quality AR from a reputable company will do fine. Accuracy will be MOA with factory loads and better with hand loads. For scopes I think most guys are over scoped a 3x9 is enough for coyotes up to 400 yards for me. A 4x12 is better but for the average caller anything above that is too much that's JMO. As far as optics we'll it depends on how deep your pockets are. Possibilities are endless. MY ideal choice would be a viper PST 2x10 with the MOA reticle. That's what I would opt for with the terrain and hunting I do. Rock river makes a dang good AR and specialized dynamics and DTI make awesome rifles. Fondle some see what works best for you. Shorter barrels mean less weight but you give up a little speed. Bull barrels stay cooler but add weight ect ect. There's pros and cons to every configuration find what that fits your needs your budget and your style of hunting and get out and kill some chit.

What twist was the barrels on the two you had and what weigh bullets
We're you shooting?? Did you check scope mounts and try different bullet weights and brands before condemning the rifles? Did you have someone else shoot to make
Sure it
Wasn't shooter error??
 
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I have a Nikon M-223 3x12 this scope would be great. If the turets had a better design. They move with the slightest touch, in the truck, over your shoulder. It is very fustrating. I have sent it back to Nikon told them what was my complaint was. They gave it a good cleaning sent it back saying nothing was wrong. So now they have black electrical tape wraped around them and I still don't trust it.
 
I have 2 mossberg MMR AR15s and have NO problems hitting my targets to 500 yards, 20" bbls, Nikon 4.5-14x mildot scoped. My handloads go under 1" @ 100yds, usually around .600" w/50 & 55g vmax bullets.
As stated there is no best combo, there are tons of great combos though.
I would never have an AR15 w/anything under 20" myself, but that's what I prefer for my usages out here.
 
16 inch barrel , Bushmaster , Rock River would be my choice . 1.5 to 5 scope would be my choice as they work great for close up and out to 300 ( effective range of 223) . just my opinion as what has worked for me.
 
Best = f(price willing to pay, conditions of use, etc.)

So you will have to tell us more to give a precise answer.

But reading between the lines I'd say if you've only got super-MOA out of the ARs you've shot then either:

(1) the ARs had a bad trigger,

(2) the rest/bipod/bag was not solid,

(3) bad barrel,

(4) crappy ammo,

(5) shooter error, or

(6) poor brand.

There are so many sub-MOA ARs now we should label these years "the golden days of ARs" or the "dawning of the AR platform" or something similar.

All of that said, here are some favorites:

(A) HIGH END: Colt Competition (guaranteed sub-MOA out of the box with the factory 3-shot group to prove it. They don't even leave the factory without that proof).

note: I realize there are MANY high end ARs....

(B) MID RANGE: Rock River Arms -- no factory guarantee I'm aware of, but these things just plain shoot. Consider the Coyote Carbine. It will take care of your stated needs.

(C) LOWER END: skip them.

On optics, your close range/long range problems are solved by a WARNE RAMP mount, a decent scope, and a red dot for close range mounted on the RAMP.

Sendit
 
I have one that I built. For barrel, I would go no longer than 20". You give up a lil velocity, but gain a ton in manueverability. Other than that, pretty much any rig you wanna carry should do just fine. I have a 4-12 Redfied Revolution on mine. 3-9 would be just fine, too.

Make sure you have a nice sling as well. Kind of an awkward gun to carry. I'm considering giving a single point sling a try.
 
Like everyone else said $ is the deciding factor. The 4 most important things for accuracy 1.shooter 2.quality barrel 3.good trigger 4.ammo. I have a 20" shilen 204 ruger barrel on mine good for yotes and good for fox. I have a leupy MK4 4.5-14x50 illuminated reticle reticle. Illuminated reticle and max objective size is nice for low light, I do a lot of dawn and dusk hunting. 45* mounted red dot sight is awesome for close shots!
 
Probably nearly as many differing opinions as hunters- I would say keep it light and short-16-18" barrel. As far as scopes I would choose a decent quality 2x7. Brands? PSA is a great value imo and RR is well thought of- my DPMSs have served me well although the AR elitists trash them.
 
I have a 3 X 9 Nikon Prostaff with 50mm. I am not entirely happy with it.

a) Even with strong hands it is hard to turn the zoom ring

b) Not that bright for a 50mm objective

I do like 3 x 9 for Coyotes, but would get a Leopold if I could do it again.
 


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